Portrait Sketchbook

(Other studies of the
face)

One
of the most fun things (and something I encourage all artists to do)
is to keep a sketchbook. But not just an ordinary sketchbook, with carefully
drawn pictures, all organized and attractive. Oh no, I'm not suggesting
that at all...

I
am talking about a messy, funky, strange sketchbook. One where
you can write notes about the drawings, scribble things out, do some
humorous or weird things, and just basically "be yourself."
You can overlap sketches, leave things half undone, and do drawings
at any angle. All for fun! This can be an important part of being an
artist. Drawing ought to be fun! Don't worry if no one else ever sees
it. It's for YOU, and to please YOU.

I
unearthed some pages in an old sketchbook. I found that I kind of liked
the drawingsthey amused me. (You can tell by some of the hairstyles,
this sketchbook is over 10 years old!) I thought this sketchbook was
a supreme example of the "do weird things" philosophy of sketchbooks.
A lot of these sketches are "extreme" faces that are
not exactly realistic, but more "caricature." Such drawings
are very fun to do!

Click
on any of the thumbnail images to see the entire sketchbook page. I
warned you, they are weird and funky!

Anatomy of a Leg

Vulcan Woman & Trendy Santa

Amadeus Takes Requests

Whatya lookin' at?

Jeckyl & Hyde, Old to Young

Rudy & Gil (from a Barbara Hambly Book)

"Wolfman"- looking guy

More faces

I
had a lot of fun making these sketches. At the time I drew them, I was
too embarrassed to show them to many people. Now I can look at them
a bit more objectively, and I have become quite fond of them. You'll
find that you'll start to like some of your old drawings (that
perhaps you didn't like at the time) as time passes.

Not
only can you "doodle" (like I have in these sketchook drawings)
but you can also do quick sketches of people you see on the street,
wherever you go. Bring a small sketchbook with you, and get more drawing
practice in while you are waiting in line, on the bus, etc.

No permission
is given to use the information, (graphics, text) on this site in any other
way other than for individual use. You may not use, publish or copy the information to a floppy disk or any other type of storage system or device without permission from me, JR Dunster. You may
only print out one copy of each page (for personal use only).